Kupwara, Feb 15 : In a concerted effort to educate the public about the recently enacted criminal laws, and following directives from the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department and Police Headquarters (PHQ), Kupwara Police, in collaboration with the District Administration Kupwara, has initiated comprehensive awareness programmes across District Kupwara. Today, such programmes were held in Kupwara town, Kralpora, and Sogam. These initiatives aim to promote a deeper understanding of the legal reforms among citizens and officials alike.
The events witnessed active participation from a diverse cross-section of society, including officers and officials from the civil administration, local citizens, members of trade and market associations, Lumbardars, Chowkidars, and students from various educational institutions.
At the Government Degree College Kupwara, the programme was led by ADC Kupwara,Mohd Rouf Rehman , DySP Headquarters Kupwara, Rafee Rather-JKPS, accompanied by Senior Prosecuting Officer DPO Masroor Ahmad. Their lectures elucidated the logical amendments introduced by the new laws, emphasizing their implications for law enforcement and the general public.
The awareness session at GDC Sogam featured DySP PC Lolab, Raeis Ahmad-JKPS, as the resource person. He provided an in-depth analysis of the key changes in the new legislation. The event also saw the presence of the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) and other officials from the civil and district administration, underscoring the collaborative approach to legal education.
Held at the BDO Office Kralpora, this session was spearheaded by DySP DAR Kupwara, Syed Mujahid-ul-Haq-JKPS. He highlighted the modernizations and long-overdue reforms embedded in the new laws, tailored to address contemporary challenges in crime prevention and justice delivery.
Key topics discussed across these sessions included the introduction of Zero FIR, enabling individuals to file a First Information Report at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction; the implementation of e-FIR, allowing online registration of complaints; enhanced provisions for the protection of women and children; a victim-centric approach ensuring timely updates and support; mandates for timely investigations to expedite justice delivery; the admissibility and importance of electronic evidence in legal proceedings; and measures to enhance transparency within the criminal justice system.
These programmes are part of a broader initiative to bridge the knowledge gap between legal frameworks and community awareness, ensuring that the populace is well-informed about their rights and responsibilities under the new legal provisions.
Moving forward, the Police and Civil Administration have committed to conducting these awareness programmes on a weekly basis throughout the district. This sustained effort aims to continuously engage the community, provide up-to-date information, and address any concerns related to the new criminal laws.
